![]() Bluebottle – Physalia physalisĬommonly known as the bluebottle because of the indigo balloon that carries them across the ocean, the Portuguese man-of-war are known for being some of the peskiest stingers in Australia. These stingers are more dangerous than others not because of the toxicity of the venom, but because of the aggression of Bull ants and how frequently they come in contact with people. While the venom itself is only painful and not fatal, the allergies of some bite victims require immediate medical attention.Īpproximately one per cent of the global population is allergic to ant venom. Bull ants – Myrmecia spp.Īt nearly 2.5cm long, bull ants are a part of the Australian stinging genus Myrmecia and use their large, pincer-like jaws to clamp onto their target and then repeatedly inject their venom with their small stinger. Less than three per cent of Australians are allergic to bee or wasp venom. Allergies to the venom are responsible for more annual average deaths than sharks, spiders or snakes separately. Native Australian bees are much smaller and often don’t sting unlike the introduced species. Unlike wasps, however, bees leave their stinging barb inserted in their victim, along with a sack of venom. Honey Bee – Apis melliferaĪs with European wasps, the 1.5cm European honey bee, as unassuming as its seems, is highly dangerous to those who have allergies to their venom. In these cases, hospitalisation and fatalities are possible. ![]() Their sting, while painful, is not deadly unless the recipient is allergic to their venom. Nesting underground and in the walls of houses, they have been known establish colonies of up to 100,000. Naturally dormant in the European winters, these insects have a particularly long lifecycle in Australia because of the relatively warm temperature. Located along the east coast of Australia, European wasps were discovered in Australia in 1959 in Tasmania, and by the late 1970s had migrated to the mainland. As a result, paralysis of both these organs is the main cause of death in untreated cases. In addition to being very painful, the venom attacks the muscles around the lungs and heart. Venom is injected through small receptors along the tentacles and so the severity of the sting correlates to the amount of the tentacle that touches the skin. This translucent marine stinger is most prevalent during the summer months and all recorded deaths have occurred between October and May. It has been responsible for 70 deaths in the country and takes victims by wrapping its 3m tentacles around the unsuspecting prey. Known for lurking off the coast of Darwin and northern Queensland, the box jellyfish is one of the most potent stingers in Australia. Receive great savings and a gift when you subscribe to our magazine AUSTRALIA’S MOST VENOMOUS STINGERS This evolution has demonstrated particular closeness between colloids (octopi, squid and cuttlefish), suggesting that is a specific venom that is most effective for a specific prey. “One of the challenges of feeding in the water is that whatever living thing you want to eat may be taken away from you by currents or waves, unlike on land,” says Peter Fairweather, professor of marine biology at Flinders University.”Having a fast-acting poison is very useful, especially if you’re feeding on something that can also move pretty fast, like fish.”Īssociate Professor Bryan Fry, associate professor at the University of Queensland and expert in venoms and associated toxins, has found the same biochemical progress in the venoms of marine species. In particular, marine species seem to evolve and replicate each other. In addition to similar stinging techniques, venomous species also seem to have commonalities in the toxins they use. ![]() They will pass those genes on to the next generation,” says Graham. “Selection pressure is what has driven organisms to develop defences that assist them in survival. Known as ‘trophic strategy,’ these animals give tribute to Darwinism with their various stinging adaptations. These stinging species have responded to natural selection by varying stingers to inject venom where others have grown teeth. “Mutation occurs naturally, and over millions years these organisms have produced these toxic molecules for survival.” Stinging species’ adaptation “Essentially, evolution has meant that they have taken everyday molecules and mutated them into toxic molecules,” says Dr Graham Nicholson, professor of neurotoxicology at the University of Technology Sydney.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |